Frequency Of Iron Deficiency Anemia In Young Children Presenting With Febrile Seizures

Abstract

Background: Febrile seizures and Iron deficiency anemia are common in pediatric population and studies have shown association of Iron deficiency anemia or Iron deficiency alone with occurrence and recurrence of febrile seizures.
Objective: To determine the frequency of Iron deficiency anemia in children presenting with febrile seizures
Study Desgin: A Cross sectional study.
Palce and duration of study. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from 22nd July 2017 to 21st January 2018
Material and Methods: 300 children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years presenting with febrile seizures in emergency department of Children Hospital PIMS, were enrolled in this study. Data was collected on pre-designed proforma after non-probability consecutive sampling technique and analyzed on SPSS version 20.
Results: Out of 300 patients with FS, 64% (192) were identified with Iron deficiency anemia, with mean serum ferritin of 13.5± 5.0 range (0-20ng/ml). Our study showed significant association of low parental education level, poverty, family history of FS, previous history of FS and residence in rural areas with iron deficiency anemia among the study group.
Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia was found to be associated with increased frequency of having febrile seizures.